Fourth-seeded Clemson will try to improve on a dismal conference tournament record Thursday when it begins its run at the ACC Tournament against either Boston College or North Carolina State.

Clemson (22-8, 11-7) went a combined 2-1 in three games against both teams this season, two of which were decided by four points or fewer. The Tigers have only won two of their nine ACC Tournament games under head coach Brad Brownell but are a near-lock for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament regardless of how they perform in Brooklyn.

Still, neither team can be overlooked as they look to boost their resumes and extend their seasons.

"I think both teams are certainly very talented, very capable," Brownell said during a press conference Tuesday. "Two of the three games were down to the last possession, so it’s going to be a difficult game."

No. 12 Boston College (17-14, 7-11)

The Eagles' ACC schedule began on a high note with an 89-85 victory over Duke in their conference opener. They followed that up with a one-point loss to now-unanimous No. 1 Virginia and a 74-70 loss to Clemson on Jan. 3.

Led by the conference's leading scorer in Jerome Robinson (20.8 ppg), Boston College struggled in ACC play but managed to upset third-seeded Miami at home on Feb. 10. Joining the 6-foot-7 Robinson in the backcourt is point guard Ky Bowman, whose 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game rank second, third and second on the team, respectively.

(Photo: The Associated Press)

Robinson and junior guard Jordan Chatman serve as the team's main three-point threats, knocking down 43.8 and 39.9 percent of their shots from downtown, respectively.

Clemson withstood a furious BC rally in the second half of the teams' lone matchup this season, winning by two possessions after leading by 15 at halftime. Brownell praised fourth-year coach Jim Christian, who has coached the Eagles to their highest win total since 2010, as well as their dynamic guard trio.

"I think Jim Christian’s done a great job. I think their perimeter players are dynamite," Brownell said. "I thought Jerome Robinson was the best player in our league in terms of productivity this year for 18 games. He and Ky Bowman, (Jordan) Chatman I think are outstanding."

First-year coach Kevin Keatts has led NC State to its highest win total since the 2014-15 season, thanks in part to the balanced inside-outside scoring attack of guards Allerik Freeman (15.3 ppg) and Torin Dorn (13.8 ppg) and 7-foot center Omer Yurtseven 13.6 (ppg).

Yurtseven, in particular, has been dominant in his two games, averaging 20.5 points, seven rebounds and 4.5 blocks on 60 percent shooting. He's only made 23 three-pointers in his career but five of them came against the Wolfpack's win on Jan. 11, when he finished with a career-high 29 points.

NC State has also benefited from the return of guard Markell Johnson, who leads the ACC with 7.5 assists per game. The sophomore is on a tear after missing just over a month with an injury, averaging 8.7 points, 8.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds in his past 14 games while hitting 43 percent of his three-pointers.

The Wolfpack have won eight of their past 11 games, which Brownell says could make them a difficult out this postseason.

'A lot of times in tournament basketball, if you get hot you’re hard to beat," he said. "So NC State has played great, I think, the last month of the season. Kevin has done a really good job with his team and they’re playing with a lot of confidence."